RSOC National Day Pics

[SiB]

Evening all,

Just got round to some uploading after National Day 2002 so thought I'd post some pics on here. I went last year and the whole event seemed bigger off track then - so I had a good excuse to spend my day trackside - filming a few spins including AndyRS's off. I was on the end of the pit wall filing when he spun it - I've got the crash itself cos it happened 10 metres from where I was, bugger that it's on S-VHS tape not on digital cos at the mo so I can't get it on the net - watch this space though - I'll film it with the dig camcorder off my TV and post the link soon.

I'm pleased to report that Andy and his passenger were fine, the car however is not so good :




It might not look like too much, but have a look at some of the other pics (will post in a mo) - it was fair old bang and it must have shaken them up a fair bit.

[SiB]

Here's one me and Sketch (my brother) at the start of the day at the back of the pit garages. My car was full of tools and kit to keep his RST out on the track as much as poss. Can't beat sharp edged tool boxes mixed with leather trim. That Cossie powered transit would have been more suited to the stuff I was carrying.



Note the mound of slicks beside my car, sadly to remain unused as they needed slightly different bolts to get them on the RST, which we didn't have. Doh.

[Kieron]

Got any of the infield?? No-one seems to have any pictures up yet of the regional stands!

[SiB]

Hi Kieron, sorry, but I've got none of the infield cos I was rushing around the whole day filming the track, riding on the track or tweaking bits on my bro's car.

Here's some more pics of AndyRS's RS500 - Andy if you're reading I've got your e-mail address and will mail the pics to you as soon as I can. We'll have to sort out getting a copy of that video to you as well, once i've worked out where the leads are to hook up the camcorder to a VCR!






The above pic shows where Andy landed up after his spin coming onto the main pit straight. Basically he came out of the Esses sideways, spun a touch too far for any more opposite lock, and came in through that pit entrance totally side ways (how he got through without smacking the pit wall I don't know) The arse end of the car came through before the front!- and then smacked into the wall just below one of the grandstands. His impact point was about 10 foot further up the wall from where he reversed to in this pic, just where the tyre wall ended - his front wing hit solid wall, the door and rear quarter panel met the slightly softer tyre wall.

[SiB]

Some more pics - this time the Sketch mobile - my brother's Series 2 RST.



This one shows him out on track (no s*~t sherlock), in the Expert category as everyone else had fully booked up space in the Intermediates. The car was well up to it, bar the handling -1 rear shock was soft as hell and meant spins and tail out moments would be the order of the day. Down the straights the only times people overtook were when he pulled out of the way!

On our last outing of the day at around 5.20pm he pulled over down the straight to let the Focus RS past before the Esses, but the bloke stuck behind him and just about kept up, so as we went through the Esses we landed up holding the Focus RS up, as it handled like a dream compared to the soggy suspension on the RST. Back on the main Start / finish straight we pulled tight over to let the Focus RS sail by but we landed up easily out dragging it down to the next corner, where Sketch stood on the anchors to let the better handling Focus through. That would be the bit that made the day for us, knowing that a 220 odd bhp car like the Focus was slower than a little old S2 RST!

Here's why some of the Cossies and the Focus RS were passed down the straights:



Not sure if that's supposed to be in there!

Ok, so there were some ridiculously quick Cossies out on the same session, including a black 3 door that made it look like we weren't even trying. Big respect to those with the balls and money for 450bhp + cars

The Bailey Mk2 Escort thing wins hands down for ultimate speed, even with competition from the Focus WRC -what a mental car (huge rear tyres helped get all that power down a treat).

Summary of the day with the next photo - queing up for yet another track session! Excellent organisation, and excellent track.



That's enough for now, may post some more as and when time allows. For those that missed it - you missed a top day out - hopefully see you there next year!

Regards
Si

[Clint]

Si looks like you had a great car glad to hear Nigels car done him proud, I think it need some serious thinking on the suspension and braking front lol.

[SiB]

It was a top day, but you're right about the handling and braking front - it was the only thing letting it down.

Not really sure what brake set up he's got, but it has standard Cossie discs front and rear and EBC black pads (dusty as hell) as far as I know, which worked ok. Biggest problem was with the knackered Koni, which meant braking in anything other than a dead straight line was a huge no no.

Ragging it around the track at the start of the day was a bit twitchy, but by the end of the day Sketch had got used to it and was throwing it around.

Only snag with getting it all sorted and set up to go round corners is the money side of things - I think his budget may struggle a bit after all that engine work.

Anyone else got any National Day pics? There were loads out there with digital cameras - someone must have some good ones...

cheers
Si

[Kieron]

No worries mate..

Shame about Andys Cos, from the pictures it doesn't look too bad but from the posts on the RSBB it looks as if the strutt brace pushed the other wing out too?? At least they were both OK. That the main thing.

Did your bro have a tassle with our man Scott??? Couple of fast Turbo's there!

[Scott_R]

nope different session mate, Sketch was out in Expert I was in novice, would have gone in intermediate but again was too full, and i wasnt gonna go in expert as there was some VERY fast cossies in there

[Kel]

Any chance of a video copy ? Julie would like to see what happened from the outside

[Scott_R]

I wouldnt mind seeing that vid either Kel, just so i know how he missed the pit wall. When i heard the skid and bang i thought OMG what was that then i see it was Andys 500 it was going sooo well shame really as i liked that one alot.

[SiB]

I've been e-mailing Lynne (Redkop and AndyRS's better half!) and Kel (AndyRS's passenger's bloke, if that makes sense) through the day, and copies of the vid are going to them in the next few days. It's not going to be on open access for the forseeable future owing to the sensitive nature of incident, both for those involved and for Mr Insurance Man.

Hope everyone understands.

I wish I'd taken more pics around the place now cos Sapphy has taken millions (see next few Threads on the Shows section.) and they're excellent. Brought back some cool memories. Roll on the next track day!

Regards
Si

[BigDave]

I have got loads of pics so will post em all when I get back next week...!

[Kel]

Thanks for the pics & Video clips.......

Julies face after seeing it

[SiB]

No worries Kel,

I've finally got off my butt and got the video camera set up for some home editing so will get some actual video copies done, with sound for you. Now that I've got all the bits (tapes, lead and an S-VHS compatible VCR all I need is a bit of time. Anyone got any of that they can lend me?

Will get the Video in the post shortly.

Si

[KAIBO]

I SEE YOU MANAGED TO GET A PIC OF ME TAKING A PIC OF ANDYS CAR I'M IN BLACK 6 PIC DOWN!

[Redkop]

Simon - sorry we didn't get to see you at Trax [won't go into that right now ] but Nige said you had done the vid of the actual crash - any chance of having a copy please?

[Stevenoz]

Anyone see the white escort cosworth spin on the parade lap? think the turn was the old hairpin (bottom of the hill)? They left a gap, and it looked like they were gonna just hang the tail end out (so so cool) but they went a bit too far and ended up on the grass on the inside of the turn! No damage (which is good) but gave me a giggle, and if the owner/driver reads this: Top drivin there!! Keep it up!!